Minute Book: November 1675

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 4, 1672-1675. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1909.

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'Minute Book: November 1675', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 4, 1672-1675, (London, 1909) pp. 344-350. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol4/pp344-350 [accessed 19 April 2024]

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November 1675

Nov. 1.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Sir John Duncomb, Attorney General.
On Friday morning next the Lord Treasurer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer are to meet at the Treasury Chambers upon Mr. Blackwall's proposal.
Send to the Farmers of the Chimney money for their exceptions to the Chimney bill.
The Attorney and Solicitor General are to make marginal notes upon the bill against illegal exaction of money from the subject.
"The breviats of all the bills to be sent already margented."
Major Huntingdon and Capt. Kingdon called in and present a paper concerning beer brewed without malt with molasses, hops, &c., and desire some care may be taken for the prevention thereof. They allege that some quantity of this kind of beer hath been sent by sea into remote parts and hath returned sound and fit for use. They say 100 barrels of beer brewed with molasses will cost 9l., the same quantity to be brewed with malt will cost 16l. 18s. 0d. [Ordered] a copy of this paper to be transcribed concerning the brewing of beer without malt.
[Ibid. p. 63 ; Day Book p. 97.]
Nov. 2.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Lord Chief Baron.
Mr. Birch and Mr. Porter called in as Counsel for Mr. Alport in behalf of all the Clerks of the Peace [petitioning] for the 1st and 2nd penny left in the second [Hearthmoney] Act to [the discretion of] the Lord Treasurer and Chancellor of the Exchequer to gratify the Clerks of the Peace for their additional pains [in connection with the Heartmoney rolls, &c.] not exceeding another penny. The last Act which empowers the King to farm the [Hearthmoney] revenue reserved the allowances, mentioned in the two former Acts, to the petty constable and the Clerks of the Peace, &c. They [therefore] pray the Lord Treasurer's favour for the second penny from Lady Day, 1664, to Lady Day, 1666, when it was collected, and for the first penny from 1666 to 1669 when it was in farm "when no duty being done my Lord Chief Baron is of opinion they ought not to receive the reward intended by the Act only when the service is done :" and the second penny forwards [from 1669].
The Lord Chief Baron directs that they prove the duty done. The Lord Treasurer directs the rolls to be produced before the Lord Chief Baron and he to certify what their pains have been.
[Treasury Minute Book V. p. 64.]
Nov. 2.
Tuesday.
At 3 in the afternoon Mr. Dering's business.
[Day Book p. 97.]
Nov. 3. The Lord Treasurer and Lord Lieutenant to meet about the petition of the Farmers of the Revenue of Ireland.
[Ibid.]
Nov. 5.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Attorney General.
Earl of Oxford to have 500l.
Lord Byron : [warrant for] one quarter, 125l.
Sir Samuell Moreland : [warrant for] half a year, 300l.
Mrs. Fanshaw's [warrant for] a quarter : 150l. Letters [of direction] to be written for payment of the above.
Sir James Shaen, Sir William Petty, Mr. Muschamp called in concerning the new farm of [the revenue of] Ireland. The Lord Treasurer demands why the Farmers make any scruple to pay their advance money, the books [deeds and articles of farm] being already drawn by the Attorney General. Sir William Petty answers that their Counsel is of opinion no money can be safely paid before the sealing [of the patent of grant of the farm] and desires their books may be compared with the Attorney General's draft.
Monday next is appointed [them] to bring in their exceptions to the Attorney General, and in case the Attorney General be of opinion that these exceptions may be easily reconciled then the new Farmers promise forthwith to pay down 20,000l. in part of the King's money by them to be advanced.
The Queen's Dressers' warrants are to be filled [up] for half a year. The maids [of Honour] ditto for a quarter.
The Lord Treasurer directs the Gentlemen and Grooms of the Bedchamber to be paid four [at a time] per week in this order : Earl of Bath, Earl of Ogle, Duke of Albemarle, Lord Gerard, Earl of Sunderland, Earl of Middlesex, Earl of Ossory, Earl of Suffolk, Earl of Rochester, Earl of Lyndsey, Earl of Manchester, Earl of Mulgrave, Mr. Killigrew, Mr. Savile, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Progers, Mr. Guy, Mr. Lane, Mr. Walter, Mr. Seimour, Mr. Philips, Mr. Felton, Mr. Godolphin, Mr. Greenvile.
A letter to be written to Mr. Mounteney [to pay into the Exchequer] 1,500l. for half a year for the Queen's Dressers and 300l. for a quarter for the Maids of Honour. In the margin : not sent.
[Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 64-5.]
Nov. 9. A letter to be written to Mr. Mounteney to bring into the Exchequer 750l. for a quarter to the Queen's Dressers, 300l. for a quarter to the Maids of Honour, 750l. for a quarter to the Earl of Bath, 750l. for [a quarter each to] three more of the Gentlemen of the Bedchamber, and 500l. for a quarter [each] to four of the Grooms of the Bedchamber : in all 3,050l. The letter to be written for 2,550l. only ; the Duke of Albemarle and Lord Gerard being payable out of the Customs [whilst the remainder are payable out of the Exchequer].
The Lord Treasurer commands to be put in mind of Mr. Newman for a Custom House place : upon Mr. Wansford's desire.
[Ibid. pp. 65-6.]
Nov. 11. Lord Lucas's 250l. for a late warrant is to be paid in three weeks.
[Ibid. p. 66.]
Nov. 12.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Attorney General.
Mr. Lightfoot to have 100l. for Bushey Park.
Sir William Petty, Sir James Shaen, Mr. Muschamp, &c., are called in upon the contract for the new farm [of the revenue of Ireland]. The Attorney General acquaints the Board [sic for the Lord Treasurer] that Sir William Petty told him that he expected [that in case of] the Farmers paying the King all that they should receive upon the farm, their persons or goods should not be charged till the whole advance money be run out. Sir William Petty now waives it before their Lordships.
Agreed : that a warrant be forthwith prepared which being agreed and signed by the King the Farmers [are then] to pay down 20,000l. at such place as His Majesty shall appoint. [Further] that a commission be immediately dispatched to such persons as the King shall appoint, and such as the Farmers shall nominate, to be approved by the Lord Lieutenant [of Ireland, to be Commissioners] for managing the revenue of Ireland : which commission is to be without charge to His Majesty [in the way of salaries to said Commissioners whose salaries are to be provided by the Farmers] and at the hazard of profit and loss to the Farmers ; in which commission mention is to be made of the payment of the said 20,000l. in part of the advance money agreed to be paid at the sealing of the patent [of farm].
Memorandum : to send to Sir Charles Harbord for a particular of all the King's lands remaining, which are either in the Queen's jointure or otherwise.
[Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 66-7.]
Nov. 15. The proposal of the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight is referred to the Customs Commissioners. The Lord Treasurer to be informed [by said Commissioners] as to the legality and antiquity of the fees demanded by the officers of the Customs at Southampton.
[Ibid. p. 67.]
Nov. 16. [Write] Mr. Mounteney to bring into the Exchequer 3,000l. out of the 32,000l., to be made good again [as the Customs mend]. To be paid to the Treasurer of the Navy for payment of the "Speedwell" and "Deptford" ketch. In the margin : Done [meaning : letter written to Mounteney].
Lord Lucas to have 250l. In the margin : Done [meaning : direction written to the Exchequer].
[Write] a letter to Mr. Kent to pay the Earl of Dover 250l. for half a year of his pension. In the margin : Done [meaning : letter written].
Sir Thomas Jones to be paid his fee as King's serjeant. In the margin : Done [meaning : warrant drawn].
At the instance of the Bishop of Bath and Wells the Lord Treasurer has directed a letter (warrant) to be written to the Remembrancer of First Fruits and Tenths to stay process against the said Bishop for non payment. [The stop of process] to continue until Lady Day next.
[Ibid.]
Nov. 19. Sir Ed. Hungerford's 500l. due at Michaelmas last is to be paid by tally on the Farmers of the Chimney money [on their rent due] in March next.
[Treasury Minute Book V. p. 67.]
Nov. 23. The establishments of the several offices to be prepared and presented to the Lord Treasurer, with the names of all persons who have office therein.
[Item : Similar returns to be made of] the times when any branch of the revenue determines : and the names of all the Commissioners of Excise and Wine Licences.
[Copies of] the laws concerning the Excise and Customs [are] to be had [procured] for the Lord Treasurer.
Notice to be set upon the doors that the Lord Treasurer will proceed as formerly for despatch of business from to-morrow sevennight.
A state of the Excise to be prepared, what its charge, advance and income.
Mr. Garway to be sent for.
An account of the charge of the King's Bedchamber in all its parts [is to be prepared for my Lord].
[Call for] the half year's declaration [of the receipts in and issues out of the Exchequer] from Sir Robert Howard [as Auditor of the Receipt].
Write to Sir Charles Harbord for an account of the Queen's dower [sic for jointure], with a rental of all the lands and with remarks of such reversions as have been granted upon any of them. If Harbord cannot furnish the same, then the Trustees [? for sale of Fee Farm or the Trustees of the Queen's Jointure] to be written to.
[Ordered that the] 4,000l. due to the Stables be placed on the Chimney money [farm rent] due in March next.
[Write to Mr. Mounteney for] 360l. to be sent in [to the Exchequer] for Healing gold. In the margin : Done [meaning : letter written to Mounteney].
[Ibid. p. 68.]
Nov 24. Mr. Upcher to have 200l. imprest out of the 10,000l. of the 100,000l. on the Customs in part of his Navy bills. In the margin : Done [meaning : warrant drawn.]
Saturday next, at four in the afternoon, [the two] Aldermen Foorth and their partners are to attend at the Treasury Chambers. The Lord Keeper, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Attorney General are to attend. Wait on the Lord Keeper to desire his presence.
Sir Job Charleton's fee of 100l. per an. is to be paid for the future out of the revenue of North Wales by the hands of the receiver [there].
Alderman Foorth's petition to be sent to Viscount Ranelagh.
"Warrants and privy seals to pass for the Lord Ambassador Jenkins for their equipage and entertainment and also the usual advance."
Warrant for 400l. for the Robes, out of any money [in the Exchequer].
Mr. Dering's business to be heard on Wednesday next. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Baron Turner to be present.
[Treasury Minute Book V. p. 69 ; Day Book p. 98.]
Nov. 26.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Lord Lieutenant, Viscount Ranelagh, Attorney General.
Major Huntington and Capt. Kingdon, &c., [are] to pay into the Exchequer the money received by them on the present Excise farm.
The draft of the warrant for the new farm of [the revenue of] Ireland is read [in the presence of the Aldermen Foorth, &c., as representatives of the Farmers thereof] and these following amendments are made.
(1) Question : upon the clause of paying their advance money in Ireland.
Agreed : that the word Ireland be left out.
(2) Upon the clause of making Kinsale a free port, &c.
Agreed : to stand as it did.
(3) Upon the clause of receiving the profits of His Majesty's lands and recovering lands out of other men's possession.
Agreed : to be restrained only to Quit Rents, Crown Rents and other rents and the Chief Governor for the time being to give leave only for such recoveries.
(4) Upon the clause of the Farmers' recommending and His Majesty approving concerning the surplusage money for public uses.
Agreed thus : "As we with the advice of our Chief Governor shall think fit."
(5) Upon the clause of 4,000l. for repairs.
Agreed : if it be not exceeding 4,000l.
(6) Upon the clause of payment of the 20,000l. whether in three months.
Agreed : to be as His Majesty shall direct.
(7) Upon the clause of considering coarse and barren lands of Sir William Petty, Marshall, &c.
Agreed : to be submitted to the Lord Lieutenant.
(8) Upon the clause of the mean profits of all forfeited and other lands.
Agreed : to stand as it does with this addition "that is or shall be in our hands or actual possession."
A clause to be inserted in the warrant for allowance of the exchange of so much money as shall be paid in England by the [Irish revenue] Farmers at the rates then current for the 60,000l. advance money.
That for security of repayment of the advance money, with the interest to be due thereon, His Majesty will grant the Farmers a term of seven years (to commence from the end of their farm) of all his Crown and Quit rents, &c., to be conditioned that upon repayment of the said advance money and interest, the said term to be void.
[Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 69-70.]
Nov. 27. [Write] Mr. Mounteney to bring into the Exchequer 3,700l. for the Judges and Masters of Chancery.
The Professors of the Universities to be paid one year.
Madame Civett to have one quarter.
On Tuesday next, at five in the afternoon, [the two] Aldermen Foorth and the rest of their partners [in the farm of the Irish revenue] are to attend [the Lord Treasurer about the defalcations]. Desire the Lord Keeper, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Viscount Ranelagh and the Attorney General to be present at the same time.
Viscount Ranelagh's two petitions to be read at the same time.
[Treasury Minute Book V. p. 71 ; Day Book p. 98.]
Nov. 29. Col. Birch moved the Lord Treasurer that the accompts before his Lordship concerning the late Farmers and Commissioners of Excise might be declared, there being 900l. and upwards, depending on the Commissioners. My Lord directs that the Commissioners be ordered to pay in the money before Friday and to deliver their tallies for the same to the Auditor, to the intent the accompt may be then, as to them, even and quit. And Mr. Ball, who stands a debtor upon the same accompt, may be then heard.
[Treasury Minute Book V. p. 71.]
Nov. 30.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Keeper, Lord Treasurer, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Attorney General, Lord Chief Justice Booth, Viscount Ranelagh.
[The petition of the two] Aldermen Foorth, viz. Daniel Foorth and John Foorth and their partners is read praying defalcation upon several particulars upon their Irish farm, as Inland Excise, Plantation Act, Wine warrants, Crown rents, Hearthmoney, respite of Quit rents, Viset. Dillon's [rent] : which [items] were severally debated : the said petition being as follows :
That their farm of the great branches of His Majesty's revenue in Ireland will determine Dec. 25 next. Petitioners offer several matters, as below, relating thereto, and in regard the Lord Lieutenant intends to return speedily to Ireland, therefore pray the King to hear and determine the said matters before his Excellency's departure, to the end they may be better enabled to clear the King's rent at the expiration of the farm [viz.] :
Allowance for the loss on the Inland Excise from 1674, Mar. 25, to 1675, Sept. 29, by reason of the dearth and famine in Ireland.
Loss on the Customs to 1674, Mar. 25, being for one quarter, at which time the war expired and for which it is hoped the King will grant defalcation.
Loss by the Plantation Act.
Loss by Wine warrants [issued] to the Lord Lieutenant and Council.
Crown rents discovered since the commencement of the farm.
Loss by the Hearthmoney in the first two years of the farm for want of authority to collect that duty.
The rent of the Earl of Clare, Sir William Petty and others respited by His Majesty. The Visct. Dillon's rent : being a particular case.
The Lord Treasurer tells the Forths that the Lord Lieutenant is informed from the Lords Justices in Ireland that they [Forth and partners, the Farmers] do not pay [their rent] according to their covenants, [which is] to the great prejudice of His Majesty's affairs, and that they must not expect to receive the 30,000l. here, which will be paid by the new Farmers, till they have taken off that stop [of rent payment] and [until] the Lord Lieutenant [is] satisfied that they do proceed to pay according to their covenants.
The Speaker of the House of Commons to have 3,000l. upon the Hearthmoney [farm rent due] in March next.
The following note was apparently inserted in the Minute Book at this point subsequently to July, 1676, as bearing on the minutes of this day.
The new Farmers of Ireland, their advance money of 60,000l. thus paid, viz. :
Nov. and Dec., 1675, paid to Mr. Stephens for the Treasurer of the Navy 20,000
Jan. 1675-6, paid to ditto more 10,000
May, 1676, paid to ditto more 15,000
paid Mr. Sheeres for the mole of Tangier 5,000
June and July, 1676, paid to Sir George Wharton for the Ordnance 10,000
60,000
[Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 71-2, 73.]